Swimming

Meet Tracy!  She is new to triathlons and excited for the SheROX race!  Tracy decided to "shake it up a bit" this year by signing up for a triathlon and breaking her routine of going to the gym for classes and weight-lifting.  I met Tracy after she had swum a mile - her thinking is:  "If I can swim a mile, then a 1/2 mile on race day won't seem so tough!"  Tracy hopes to join in on our Saturday morning rides soon, and I was happy to hear that this blog is helpful to her - she learned about "brick" training here, and has already performed her own brick training.  YOU GO GIRL!

Laura was swimming Wednesday night, too.  I interrupted her lap rythm to snap this photo, but she still managed that beautiful smile of hers! SheROX here we come...

Since we're talking about swimming, below is a snipet of advice that Elaine Vescio recently sent to all the women who signed up for the mentor program (most events are the "more the merrier" so being part of this blog qualifies you to participate):

Dear SheROX Webster Mentee,

Are you nervous about the open water swim part of SheROX Webster? You are not alone. Fear of the open water swim segment of a triathlon is a common concern. Most people, however, overcome this fear and many eventually learn to enjoy the swimming aspect of the sport. You can too with adequate preparation and practice.

The first step is to build your swim fitness by completing swim workouts on a regular basis. (Hopefully you have been doing this since the SheROX race is only seven weeks away). Once you have established a basic level of swim fitness, then it's time to include some open water swim practice.

Approach these open water swim workouts with a positive outlook. It is an opportunity to avoid the crowded pool, breathe in fresh air, and experience the soothing sights and sounds of nature. It's a chance to get into a swim rhythm allowing you to focus on long, strong strokes instead of planning your next turn at the end of your pool lane.

If you can swim in a pool, you can swim in a lake; you just need a few additional skills in your toolbox: sighting, bilateral breathing, and panic stroke.

++++++++++

There are a number of open water swimming opportunities available to the members of the mentor program.


Vmps Open Water Swim Clinics offered by SheROX's official coaching organization. These are USA Triathlon sanctioned events with coaches and life guards and are designed to help swimmers of all levels become more confident and effective swimmers.

Topics Covered

• Triathlon swim starts

• Dealing with anxiety during the swim

• Bilateral breathing

• Sighting

• Swimming straight in the open water

• Swimming with a crowd

• Drafting

• Turning at buoys

• Exiting the water



Dates and Locations

Friday, June 11 at 6:00 AM at Lake Chauncy in Westborough, MA

Friday, June 25 at 6:00 AM at Lake Chauncy in Westborough, MA

Friday, July 9 at 6:00 AM at Long Lake in Littleton, MA

Friday, July 16 at 6:00 AM at Lake Chauncy in Westborough, MA

Click on the Calendar link on the top left of this blog

Several mentors are offering group swims for members of the mentor program. Details are located on the Calendar of Events. IMPORTANT: There are no lifeguards or swim coaches available at the group swims. It's just a group of people from the mentor program getting together for an open water swim.

Mondays at 6:30 PM starting June 7 at Walden Pond in Concord, MA

Thursday at 6:30 PM on June 17 at Dug Pond in Natick, MA

Please respond to the survey posted so I can pick the best time for an Open Water Swim in Lake Winthrop, Holliston, MA for our group.  Happy Training!